Jeremy Helms, 24, and Jaylynn McKinney, 24, both of Indianapolis, received federal prison sentences of 13 years and 10 months, and 10 years respectively, for an armed robbery that wounded a Dollar Store clerk. They pleaded guilty to interference with commerce by robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, followed by three years of supervised release.
On April 23, 2023, at the Family Dollar store on East 10th Street, McKinney acted as the getaway driver. Helms entered, pointed a handgun at the clerk, and demanded money. Unable to open registers, the clerk had $120 stolen from his pockets. As Helms exited, he fired the handgun, striking the victim in the left leg.
Helms fled to McKinney's waiting Ford Focus. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) officers quickly located the vehicle, but McKinney initially failed to stop, allowing Helms to escape on foot. Helms was later apprehended with an IMPD K-9 unit, and the robbery weapon, a Glock Model 45, 9mm pistol, was recovered.
U.S. Attorney Tom Wheeler said, "An innocent employee showed up to work that day and left wounded and lucky to be alive. No one should endure fear of violence while trying to earn an honest living." FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley noted the defendants' "reckless disregard for human life."
The Federal Bureau of Investigations and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jayson McGrath. This sentencing is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program dedicated to reducing violent crime and gun violence.